Florida Leaf-footed Bug
Acanthocephala femorata
Males use their heavily swollen, spike-studded hind legs like nutcrackers to squeeze and wrestle rival males for mating territory.
- Scientific name
- Acanthocephala femorata
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Arthropoda › Insecta › Hemiptera › Coreidae › Acanthocephala
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Forest edges, woodlands, meadows, gardens, and agricultural fields.
- Diet
- Plant sap sucked from various hosts, including thistle, citrus, and nightshade species.
- Range
- Southern United States, Mexico, Central America
- Size
- 25-28 mm (1.0-1.1 inches) in length
- Lifespan
- Up to 1 year
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Widespread pesticide application in agricultural and suburban areas.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless to humans. They are defensive and may secrete a foul-smelling, yellow-staining chemical from their thorax if handled, or rarely give a mild pinch with their sucking mouthparts. Observe them from a safe distance of a few inches without touching. If contact occurs, wash skin thoroughly with soap and water to remove the odor.
The Florida leaf-footed bug ( Acanthocephala femorata ) is a species of insect. The genus name Acanthocephala means "spiny head" and was inspired by the pointed tylus at the tip of the head. Acanthocephala femorata is found in the continental United States and Mexico.
Photo: Alejandro Santillana, CC0, via iNaturalist
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